Response

Emergency response starts with each individual. Disaster-resilient neighborhoods and communities begin with families, workplaces and schools that are prepared for, and know how to respond to, any emergency. Visit Maine Prepares to learn more.

In Maine, response begins locally. Each community has organizations and volunteers that respond, often built around the local fire department. There is also an extensive network of mutual aid between communities in Maine.

Communities whose resources are overwhelmed reach out to their County Emergency Management Agency for assistance. Counties can help coordinate with communities farther away, or appeal to the State for resource assistance.

As part of that coordinated assistance, Maine is developing a regional response system, served by trained Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs).